Shoe-stay



(No Model.)

S. C. BELKNAP.

SHOE STAY.

No. 346,458. Patented Aug. 3.1886.

lf. S853 N. PETERS. Pam-umgmphw, washmgm". n. cA

NNE

FFIC.

SAMUEL O. BELKNAP, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

SHOE- STAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346.458, dated August3, 1886.

Application filed February 20, 1886.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL C. BELKNAP, of Columbus, in the county ofFranklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovementsin Shoe-Stays; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

My invention relates to an improvement in shoe-stays. y

In shoes provided with uppers extending above the counters, and havingseams up the back, there has hitherto been a tendency to form a sharpwrinkle at a point a short distance above the counter, and produce acrack in the leather on each side of the seam before the other parts ofthe shoe are seriously worn.

The object of my invention is to provide a neat, cheap, and elastic stayfor shoe-uppers, which shall admit of pliability to the shape and motionof the foot, and which shall at the same time prevent sharp wrinklesfrom l'orlning in the leather uppers.

\Vith these ends in view my invention consists in certain features ofconstruction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafterdescribed, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompany'ing drawings, Figure 1 is a rear view of a shoe,showing an ordinary back seam. Fig. 2 is a similar view of a shoe withthe slay attached in position over the seam. Fig. 3 is an enlargedcrosssection showing the relative position of the various parts of thestay. Fig. 4 is a view of the stay, showing how the parts are fastenedtogether.

A represents a narrow strip of thin leather or other lflexible material,with a narrower and similar strip, I3, sewed thereon in such a manner asto leave a sleeve or sheath, O, between the two rows of stitches D,throughout the entire length, for the reception ofa metallic spring, E,preferably a thin and narrow strip of tempered steel. Then the spring isplaced in position within this sleeve, the stay is complete and readyfor adjustment on the shoe.

In Fig. 2 the stay is in proper adjustment over the back seam of a shoe,with the narrower leather strip against the seam, and with the broaderstrip outside, thus covering and hiding the metallic strip, the narrowerleather strip, and the back seam. The stay as thus constructed issecured to the shoe in the position shown in Fie'. 3 by stitchingthrough the Serial No. 102,702. (No model.)

wider strip, A, at or near the edges of the latter, and through the shoeon opposite sides of the seam. The lower end of the stay islasted underthe heel. IVhen placed in the position described, the stay makes a veryneat finish for the shoe-back. The stay need not, however, necessarilybe confined to the back part of the shoe, but may be placed inside theshoe on the other side of the seam, or between the leather shoe-top andthe lining; but I have generally preferred to sew it over the seam, asdescribed.

By constructing the stay of three parts sccured together, as abovedescribed, it can be made of considerable length and cut up intosections of proper size, as needed.

This improvement not only keeps the back from making sharp bends andcausing the leather to crack, but it also adds greatly to the comfort ofthe wearer by keeping the shoe in a shape corresponding to that of thefoot, and thus preventing any liability of chaiing the foot.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form andarrangement of the several parts described without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myselfstrictly to the construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A stay for shoes,consisting of a thin metallic spring covered on oneside with a broader strip of liexible material, and on the opposite sidewith a narrower strip of fiexible material, the two strips of flexiblematerial being secured together along the edges of the lthin metallicspring, substantially as set forth.

2. rIhe combination, with a shoe having a back seam uniting the two hindquarters, of a stay consisting of two elongated strips of leathersecured together at their side edges, forming an envelope, and a thinspring-metal strip located within said envelope,the said stay beingsecured to the shoe over the seam by stitches along the edges of thestay, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification inthe presence ol'two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL O. BELKNAI. lVitnesses:

VILLIs E. CARPENTER, CHAs. G. THOMPSON.

ICO

